{Grieved} (lup(8874)heis). Not to hurt, for in verse 5 we
read that he wanted ( hel(936e)) to put him to death
(apokteinai). Herod, however, shrank from so dastardly a deed
as this public display of brutality and bloodthirstiness. Men who
do wrong always have some flimsy excuses for their sins. A man
here orders a judicial murder of the most revolting type "for the
sake of his oath" (dia tous horkous). "More like profane
swearing than deliberate utterance once for all of a solemn oath"
(Bruce). He was probably maudlin with wine and befuddled by the
presence of the guests.
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